Sanitary napkin belt and fastener



pi M, 3957 R. v. MATHISQN ETAL g@ SANITARY NAPKIN BELT AND FASTENER Filed Sept. 27, 1965 f INVENTOR? lo so' ROBERT v. MATHISON JOHN O, BLETZINOER CHARLOTTE 1. RIOKAR ATT'YS United States Patent O SANITARY NAIKIN BELT AND FASTENER Robert V. Mathison, Asheville, N.C., and John C.

Bletzinger and Charlotte I. Rickard, Neenah, Wis.; said Bletzinger and said Rickard assignors to Kimberly- Clark Corp., Neenah, Wis., a corporation of Delaware Filed Sept. 27, 1963, Ser. No. 312,230 14 Claims. (Cl. 12S-289) The present invention relates to an improved belt of the type used to support sanitary napkins or catamenial bandages. More particularly, the subject invention is directed to improved means for attaching said sanitary napkins or catamenial bandages to supporting belts.

The use of separate fastening elements such as safety pins and the like to attach sanitary napkins to supporting belts has a number of disadvantages. For this reason fastening or gripping means are afxed to most belts of this type. Although such fastening means represent a marked improvement over the use of separate fastening elements from a convenience standpoint, they have not fully met other requirements of a satisfactory product. It is essential, of course, that the device be capable of holding the sanitary napkin close to the body while insuring that the napkin will not slip out of place. It is also important that the gripping means be designed so that lthe napkin or catamenial bandage can be adjusted or removed without diiculty. The gripping means should also hold the pad or napkin in a fiat and comfortable position.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an improved sanitary napkin support.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fastener or gripping means for sanitary napkins which holds the napkins firmly in position without danger of slipping.

Still another object is to provide means for adjusting and tightening sanitary napkins in a convenient manner which means also makes it possible to remove the napkin without difficulty.

Other objects will become apparent from the following description of the invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary front view showing the subject gripping means and its relationship to the sanitary napkin and belt;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view showing a sanitary napkin each end of which is attached to a gripping means of the subject invention;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged top plan view of one embodiment of the subject gripping means;

FIGURE 4 is a front elevation showing the subject gripping means;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken along line 55 of FIG. 3.

As is shown in FIG. 1, sanitary napkin 1 is held in position by fastener or griping means 2 which in turn is attached to front tab 3 of elastic support belt 4. In a further embodiment of the invention, gripping means 2 can be sewn or otherwise attached directly to belt 4.

The perspective view of FIG. 2 shows a sanitary napkin 1 which is attached at both ends to a fastener of the subject invention. The gauze like fabric tab ends 6 and 6a of the napkin are threaded through apertures 7 and 7a, over center bars 8 and 82, through aperture 9 and 9a, and beneath divided lower bars 10' and 10a of fasteners 2 and 2a. The position of the napkin can be tightened by pulling downwardly on either tab end 6 or 6a. Obliquely angled protuberances or teeth on center bars 8 and 8a hold the napkin securely in place in a manner to be described more fully below. Although FIG. 2 shows an adjustable fastener at both ends of the napkin, ordinarily only one such fastener is required, preferably at the front or forward end of the napkin. The other tab end of the napkin can be attached to the belt by a nonadjustable gripping means of a suitable design.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged top view of one embodiment of the fastener. In this embodiment the fastener is shown as including upper bar 11, aperture 7, center bar 8, aperture 9, lower bars 10 and 10', and side bars 12 and 13. Downwardly angled protuberances 14 have been placed in two rows near lower edge 15 of center bar 8in this embodiment. The protuberances should have a somewhat pointed or sharp edge so that the tab end fabric of the sanitary napkin is easily caught. They preferably are not needle-shaped, however, in order to avoid the possi-bility of catching on underclothing or causing other discomfort to the wearer. As can be seen in this figure when viewed along with FIG. 5, the protuberances can have the shape of truncated, oblique, triangular prisms. In this embodiment, the width of each protuberance is about 0.020 inch and the protuberances are spaced from each other from base to base in the same row a distance of about 0.045 inch. The base to base spacing of the protuberances between rows is about 0.015 inch. The vertical height of each protuberance from the face is about 0.023 inch. The dimensions, of course, can be varied in a reasonable range from those given in this embodiment. The width of the protuberances, for example, can vary from about 0.010 inch to about 0.050 inch and they can be spaced from each other in the same row at a distance of from about 0.020 inch to about 0.100 inch or more.

The vertical height of each protuberance is normally within the range of 0.02 to 0.15 inch. The tip of each protuberance is preferably flattened parallel to its base with a length in the direction of slant of about 0.01 inch. The angularity is preferably 20 to 80.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the lower bar is split into sections 10 and 10 forming a slot 16. It is also contemplated that the lower bar can be split in such a manner that the section ends extend toward each other to form a diagonal slot. T-he lower bar can also be designed without slots. The lower bar may also have inner vsquared corners rather than inner rounded corners shown. Then the junctures between bar 10, 10 and side bars :12 and 13 would resemble the junctures shown in the figure between upper bar 11 and side bars 12 and 13. Upper bar 11 can also include a vertical or diagonal slot if such be desired. In one specific embodiment as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the fastener is made of durable plastic and is about 0.078 inch thick, the width of the fastener is about 1.125 inch and the length of the fastener from the outer edge of lower bar 10 to the outer edge of upper bar 11 is about 0.86 inch. The fastener may be .made of any suitable material including metal but it is preferred that somewhat flexible materials such as polypropylene, nylon, acetal resins, and the like be used for this purpose. It is also possible to have the fastener made all of metal except for a plastic center bar, or to have any other similar combination of materials. The protuberances themselves, preferably should be made of a durable material such as a suitable plastic.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the fastener showing sections 10 and 10' of the lower bar as well as slot or opening 16, middle bar 8, and protuberances or teeth 14. As is shown in this ligure, sections 10 and 10 can be somewhat tapered. This makes the sections more exible and simplifies the insertion of the ends of t-he sanitary napkin as well as the removal of the napkin.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along lines 5 5 of FIG. 3. For illustrative purposes the end of a belt tab such as that designated as 3 in FIG. 1 is shown in its relationship to upper bar 11 of the device and the tab end 6 of a sanitary napkin is shown positioned around center bar 8 and lower bar 10 of the device. The sanitary napkins is adjusted in place by pulling downwardly on end 17 of tab 6. Protuberances 14 engage the fabric tab end and prevent the napkin from becoming dislodged while in use. In the embodiment shown in this figure the upper sides 1S of protuberances 14 angle away from center bar 8 at an angle of about 45 while the lower sides 19 are at an angle of about 30. The angle, of course, can be varied. It is important, however, that there be a sufficient angle to prevent the protuberances or teeth from becoming disengaged from the tab end of the sanitary napkin.

It is also important that aperture 9 between center bar 8 and lower bars 10, 10' be relatively small to insure positive engagement of the fabric with the teeth when the usual forces are exerted on the napkin during use. The height of the flat top 20 of protuberance 14 is about 0.021 inch from the surface of center bar 8. This dimension likewise can be varied within a reasonable range depending on the thickness of the tab material. At least one row of protuberances preferably is located near the lower edge of center bar 8 to make certain the fabric will be readily engaged thereby.

As is apparent from the drawings, upper bar 11 of the fastener constitutes a suspension bar for suspending the fastener from the strap of a sanitary belt. The front tab of the sanitary napkin is threaded under middle bar 8, through aperture 7, back over middle bar 8, then through aperture 9 and beneath the lower split or continuous bar assembly 10, 10'. The napkin is positioned by pulling downwardly on the tab end of the napkin after threading, causing the napkin to move upward into snug association with the fastener. The tab of the napkin, which is made of. gauze-like material, engages the protuberances across the full width of the center bar to hold the napkin securely in place during use. Center bar 8 is relatively wide which tends to equalize the tension by spreading the forces across a substantial portion of the napkin tab. Spacing the protuberances substantially across the width on the lower portion of center bar 8 likewise tends to equalize the tension on the tab and also makes it easier to disengage the napkin tab from the protuberances. In the embodiment of the invention wherein lower bar 10 is split, the tab can be passed in a simple manner through slit opening 16. The sections of the split crossbar are flexible and assist in holding the pad in its proper position while iiattening the leading edge of the pad to minimize any tendency for the pad to bulge.

In the drawing the fastener is shown as including two rows of protuberances or teeth. This is a preferred embodiment of the invention. While it is possible to have but a single straight or staggered row of protuberances, improved tension distribution and holding power is obtained with a two-row arrangement. The use of more than two rows of protuberances does not add significantly to the effectiveness of the device. For reasons of economy, therefore, it is preferred that not more than two rows of protuberances be included. The center bar should be sufficiently broad in dimension from its upper edge to its lower edge so that both rows of the protuberances can be at the lower portion of the bar allowing a substantial flat portion of the bar to be exposed Vabove the protuberances. In a specific embodiment the dimension of the center bar from upper edge to lower edge is about 0.22 inch and both rows of protuberances are located in the lower half of the bar with the upper flat portion of the bar having a dimension of about 0.12 inch. These dimensions can be varied, of course, within reasonable limits. In all cases, however, it is preferred that at least the upper one-third of the bar be smooth and free of protuberances to facilitate the removal of the tab.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the invention as hereinbefore set forth may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and therefore only such limitations should be imposed as are indicated inthe appended claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. In a device for supporting sanitary napkins comprising in combination a belt and fastening means mounted on said belt, the improvement wherein said fastening means comprises a fastener of generally oblong configuration having paired side bars, a lower bar, an upper bar to which said belt is attached, and an intermediate bar having a substantially straight lower edge, said intermediate bar having spaced protuberances contiguous to said lower edge and extending in an obliquely downward direction from one face of said bar.

2. In a device for supporting sanitary napkins comprising in combination a belt and fastening means mounted on said belt, the improvement wherein said fastening means comprises a fastener of generally oblong configuration having paired side bars, a lower bar, an upper bar to which said belt is attached, and an intermediate bar having a substantially straight lower edge, said intermediate bar having spaced protuberances extending in an obliquely downward direction from one face of said bar, said protuberances being arranged in at least one row parallel with and positioned near the lower edge of said intermediate bar.

3. The device of claim 2 in which the protuberances are positioned on the lower two-thirds of the face of said intermediate bar.

4. In a device for supporting sanitary napkins which comprises in combination an elastic belt, a support strap depending from said belt, and fastening means attached to said strap, the improvement wherein said fastening means comprises a fastener of generally oblong configuration having paired side bars, a top bar, a substantially flat intermediate bar having a substantially straight lower edge, and a bottom bar, said top bar being attached to said strap, said intermediate bar having at least one row of spaced protuberances extending obliquely downwardly from one face of said bar, said protuberances being positioned on the lower two-thirds of the face of said intermediate bar.

5. The device of claim 4 in which said bottom bar is split to define a centrally disposed slot.

6. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said protuberances are tapered in their outwardly extending direction and have blunted tips.

7. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the upper edges of said lower bar and said intermediate bar are bevelled.

S. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said protuberances have a width in the range of about 0.01 to 0.05 inch and spacing between protuberances in the range of about 0.02 to 0.1 inch.

9. In a catamenial bandage and body support therefor which comprises in combination a belt adapted to be worn about the human lower abdominal area, a strap depending from said belt at each of the front portion and the rear portion thereof, a releasable clasp means depending from each of said straps, and an absorbent, catamenial bandage having front and rear fabric tabs removably attached to said straps by releasable clasp means, the iniprovement wherein the releasable clasp means on at least said front strap comprising a fastener of generally rectangular configuration having paired side bars, a lower bar, an upper bar to which said strap is attached, and an intermediate bar having a substantially straight lower edge, said intermediate bar having spaced protuberances extending in an obliquely downward direction from one face of said bar, said protuberances being positioned on the lower two-thirds of the face of said intermediate bar, said front tabe of said bandage being looped about said intermediate bar and extending through the space between said intermediate bar and lower bar with said protuberances penetrating said fabric tab to hold said tab against displacement from said clasp means.

1. A fastener comprising side bars, an upper bar, a lower bar and an intermediate bar connected together, the connected arrangement of said bars defining a pair of apertures on opposite sides of said intermediate bar, said intermediate bar having a substantially straight lower edge and spaced protuberances extending obliquely outward and downwardly from one face of said bar, at least a substantial portion of the upper part of said intermediate bar being smooth and free of protuberances.

11. A fastener comprising side bars, an upper bar, a lower bar and an intermediate bar connected together, the connected arrangement of said bars deiining a pair of apertures on opposite sides of said intermediate bar, said intermediate bar having a substantially straight lower edge and a plurality of spaced protuberances extending obliquely downward from one face of said bar, said protuberances being arranged in at least one row aligned across said face, said row being positioned on the lower two-thirds of the face of said bar, at least the upper onethird of said intermediate bar being smooth and free of protuberances.

12. The fastener of claim 11 in which the lower bar is split to define a centrally disposed slot therein.

13. A fastener of generally oblong configuration made of lurable plastic and comprising an upper bar, a lower bar, an intermediate bar and paired side bars, said upper,

lower and intermediate bars being parallelly arranged and interconnected by said side bars, said interconnected bars defining an aperture on each side of said intermediate bar, said intermediate bar having a substantially straight lower edge and two parallel rows of spaced protuberances aligned transversely across one face of said bar, said rows being positioned on the lower twothirds of said face, each of said protuberances comprising a truncated, oblique, triangular prism extending downward from said face, at least the upper one-third of said inte-rmediate bar being smooth and free of protuberances.

14. The fastener of claim 13 in which the lower bar is split to define a centrally disposed slot therein.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,885,445 11/1932 Hueseman 24-186 3,051,178 8/1962 Jonas 128-291 3,057,354 10/1962 Roberts et al. 12S-289 3,096,766 7/1963 Patton 12S-289 3,214,815 11/1965 Mathison 24-200 FOREIGN PATENTS 10,732 5 1901 Great Britain.

ROBERT E. MORGAN, Acting Primary Examiner. RICHARD A. GAUDET, Examiner.

C. F. ROSENBAUM, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN A DEVICE FOR SUPPORTING SANITARY NAPKINS COMPRISING IN COMBINATION A BELT AND FASTENING MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID BELT, THE IMPROVEMENT WHEREIN SAID FASTENING MEANS COMPRISES A FASTENER OF GENERALLY OBLONG CONFIGURATION HAVING PAIRED SIDE BARS, A LOWER BAR, AN UPPER BAR TO WHICH SAID BELT IS ATTACHED, AND AN INTERMEDIATED BAR HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY STRAIGHT LOWER EDGE, SAID INTERMEDIATE BAR HAVING SPACED PROTUBERANCES CONTIGUOUS TO SAID LOWER EDGE AND EXTENDING IN AN OBLIQUELY DOWNWARD DIRECTION FROM ONE FACE OF SAID BAR. 